Prairie View AandM disbands fraternity after Dallas pledge's death

HOUSTON - Prairie View A&M University has suspended a
fraternity chapter until 2013 after determining its hazing of a
20-year-old pledge led to his death. > Donnie Wade Jr.

Junior Donnie Wade II of Dallas died Oct. 20 after members of
the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity subjected him to rigorous physical
workouts, according to a university report cited by the Houston
Chronicle.

An autopsy blamed Wade's death on a rare syndrome triggered by
strenuous exercise, complicated by a sickle-cell trait.

The university investigation also found that fraternity members
attempted to cover-up their involvement in the episode by demanding
pledges deny any fraternity member was present when Wade collapsed
during an early morning run off campus.

The fraternity may apply for a new chapter in 2013. If approved,
the new chapter would be subject to a year of probation, the
Chronicle reported in its online edition Monday.

A message the Associated Press left Monday with Phi Beta Sigma's
national officials wasn't immediately returned.

Wade's family is suing the university and the fraternity,
alleging wrongful death.

The lawsuit claims Wade was denied fluids during the workout
that preceded his death. It also alleges that hazing by the
fraternity included limiting pledges to a bread-and-water diet and
subjecting them to paddling.

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